Jesurun Rak-Sakyi

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi

Personal information
Date of birth	(2002-10-05) 5 October 2002 (age 22) [1]
Place of birth	Southwark, England
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) [2]
Position(s)	Right winger
Team information
Current team	Sheffield United (on loan from Crystal Palace)
Number	11
Youth career
0000–2019	Chelsea
2019–2021	Crystal Palace
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2021–	Crystal Palace	8	(0)
2022–23	→ Charlton Athletic (loan)	43	(15)
2024–	→ Sheffield United (loan)	14	(2)
International career‡
2021–22	England U20	5	(1)
2024–	England U21	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10 November 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20:48, 15 November 2024 (UTC)

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (born 5 October 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a right winger for EFL Championship club Sheffield United, on loan from Premier League club Crystal Palace.

Club career

Crystal Palace

Rak-Sakyi was originally in the youth system at Chelsea, before joining Crystal Palace in 2019. ^[3] His first appearance in the Crystal Palace first-team squad was as an unused substitute against his previous club on 10 April 2021, and he signed his first professional contract for the club two days later. ^{[4] [3] [5]} He made his debut as a substitute in a 3–0 defeat against former club Chelsea on 14 August 2021 in the Premier League. ^[6] Rak-Sakyi made his first start for the club in their final home game of the 2021–22 season against Manchester United.

2022–23 season: Loan to Charlton Athletic

On 11 August 2022, Rak-Sakyi joined Charlton Athletic on a season-long loan for their 2022–23 campaign. ^[7] He made his debut for the Addicks, aged 19, in a 5–1 League One win at home to Plymouth Argyle on 17 August 2022, scoring Charlton's first goal. Ten days later, on 27 August 2022, Rak-Sakyi scored for Charlton again in a 1–1 League One draw away at Wycombe Wanderers. After scoring 15 goals and registering eight assists, he was later named the club's Supporters' Player of the Year for his performances across the season, receiving 46% of fans' votes. ^[8]

2023–24 season: Return to Crystal Palace

Rak-Sakyi returned to Palace and made his first appearance of the new season in an EFL Cup second-round fixture against Plymouth Argyle on 29 August 2023.

On 7 October 2023, Rak-Sakyi made his first Premier League appearance of the season against Nottingham Forest, replacing the injured Jeffrey Schlupp on 26 minutes.

2024–25 season: Loan to Sheffield United

On 16 August 2024, EFL Championship club Sheffield United announced the signing of Rak-Sakyi on loan for the 2024–25 season. ^[9]

International career

Though Rak-Sakyi is also eligible to represent Ghana through his parents, ^[10] he accepted a call-up to the England Under 20 squad in September 2021 to replace an injured Anthony Gordon. ^[11] On 6 September 2021, he made a goalscoring debut during a 6–1 victory over the Romania Under 20s at St. George's Park. ^[12]

On 13 November 2024, Rak-Sakyi was called up to the England Under 21 squad for the first time and made his debut two days later during a goalless draw with Spain in La Línea de la Concepción. ^[13]

Personal life

Rak-Sakyi's younger brother, Samuel, is currently a member of the development squad at Chelsea. ^[14]

Career statistics

As of 10 November 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		EFL Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Crystal Palace	2021–22	Premier League	2	0	0	0	0	0	–		2	0
	2023–24 [15]	Premier League	6	0	0	0	2	0	–		8	0
	Total		8	0	0	0	2	0	–		10	0
Charlton Athletic (loan)	2022–23 [16]	League One	43	15	2	0	4	0	0	0	49	15
Sheffield United (loan)	2024–25 [17]	Championship	14	2	0	0	1	0	–		15	2
Career total			65	17	2	0	7	0	0	0	74	17

Honours

Individual

• Charlton Athletic Player of the Year: 2022–23 ^[18]

References

1. "Jesuran Rak-Sakyi". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
2. "Jesurun Rak-Sakyi". Charlton Athletic F.C. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
3. "Jesurun Rak-Sakyi". Crystal Palace FC. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
4. Smith, Sam (12 April 2021). "Crystal Palace youngster Jesurun Rak-Sakyi signs first professional deal". South London News. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
5. The Athletic Staff. "Rak-Sakyi signs first professional deal with Crystal Palace". The Athletic. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
6. "Chelsea cruise against Vieira's Palace". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
7. "DONE DEAL : RAK-SAKYI IS AN ADDICK". Charlton Athletic Official Site. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
8. "2022/23 award winners revealed | Charlton Athletic Football Club". www.charltonafc.com. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
9. "JRS makes 10". Sheffield United FC. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
10. "Crystal Palace: Ghanaian youngster Jesurun Rak-Sakyi elated after Premier League debut". Modern Ghana.
11. "Jesurun Rak-Sakyi receives first international call-up with England U20s". Football London.
12. "Six at SGP for MU20s". EnglandFootball.com. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
13. Harle, Tom (15 November 2024). "Report: Spain 0-0 England MU21s". England Football. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
14. "Jesurun Rak-Sakyi: Crystal Palace's young 'throwback' thriving with rivals Charlton". The Athletic. 21 September 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
15. "Games played by Jeserun Rak-Sakyi in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
16. "Games played by Jeserun Rak-Sakyi in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
17. "Games played by Jeserun Rak-Sakyi in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
18. "2022/23 AWARD WINNERS REVEALED". Charlton Athletic Official Website. 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.

External links

• Profile at the Crystal Palace F.C. website